The rebranded DATA Foundation focuses on resolving AI copyright issues by ensuring data provenance and licensing for AI training.
The Palo Alto-based blockchain startup Story Protocol has undergone a rebranding and will now operate as the DATA Foundation. This shift marks a strategic pivot towards addressing the pressing issues surrounding AI copyright and data usage.
Focus on AI Training Data
With a fresh identity, the DATA Foundation aims to build robust infrastructure for verifying AI training data. The organization will manage the DATA Network, a blockchain registry designed to establish the origins, licensing, and consent history of datasets utilized for training artificial intelligence models.
Avi Patel, the founder of Kled AI, is stepping in as chief data officer, as the company intensifies its efforts to navigate the complexities of AI data sourcing. According to Patel, this transition is crucial as AI developers face increasing legal pressures regarding data consent and copyright.
Innovative Solutions for Data Provenance
The DATA Foundation is launching a platform called Trace, which will generate cryptographic receipts for each data contribution, providing immutable records of provenance, consent terms, and licensing for AI datasets. This initiative is intended to help developers ensure that the data they use is authentic and legally compliant.
Patel emphasized that "Trace publishes the audit record, not the data," ensuring that the underlying datasets remain secure while offering transparency regarding their history.
Partnerships and Future Plans
In collaboration with Kled AI, which has amassed a significant database of user-contributed records, the DATA Foundation is also developing fraud-detection tools to verify the authenticity of licensed data. This partnership is expected to enhance the integrity of the data supplied to AI developers.
The rebranding follows a substantial funding round, with $140 million raised, primarily led by Andreessen Horowitz's a16z crypto. While details around the company's valuation remain undisclosed, reports suggest it could be around $2.4 billion.
With the legal landscape for AI companies becoming increasingly complex, the DATA Foundation is poised to play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance and transparency in data usage for AI training.
